Fine waiver on overdue books hits university

A university’s revenue from overdue library books has dropped by £35,000 a year after it abolished most fines.

Borrowers at Dundee University can now hold on to standard loan books for up to a year, so long as nobody else requests them.

The policy, introduced in October 2016, has resulted in a year-on-year drop in fines.

The fine total fell from £41,779 in 2015-16 to £6,268 last financial year.

Fines are now imposed only on students who fail to return requested books. They are charged £1 a day up to a maximum of £15.